Moana Mackey

"Housing New Zealand must listen to the housing needs of New Zealanders before trying to provide them with options and advice" says Moana Mackey.

Labour's spokesperson for Housing, Moana Mackey, said that "emergency housing providers are reporting that people with high housing needs are turning up on their doorsteps having been turned away from Housing New Zealand by the Options and Advice service".

"Every person walking into a Housing New Zealand neighbourhood unit to access housing should be put through a needs assessment process.

"How can Housing New Zealand give Kiwi families good advice on appropriate housing options when they have no idea of what their housing needs actually are?

"The only reason you wouldn't put the needs assessment process first, is if you were trying to keep people off the waiting lists.

"Labour is not opposed to an Options and Advice service for those who may have to wait long periods of time to access state housing. But it is important that everyone goes through a needs assessment process to ensure no one falls through the cracks.

"If Housing New Zealand really wants to help more people make informed choices about which housing options they wish to pursue, then they need to listen to the needs of their clients first".